Abbreviated perfume & fragrance reviews from one man's perspective

Zelda by En Voyage Perfumes

If you have ever wondered if people make blind purchases based on a blogger’s review; look no further, because this is one of those cases. Recently Freddie from Smellythoughts posted a review based on a sample of Zelda. His description was so compelling that it made me quickly run to place my order. Trust me, that was a bold move because as much as I love my dear Freddie’s reviews, we don’t always see eye to eye in our fragrance loves. So what do I think of my blind buy?

WHAT I SMELL: Zelda, named after the legendary Zelda Fitzgerald, goes on green.The galbanum and bergamot make this feel like spring has sprung. Just hidden under that green surface is a bit of warmth though which quickly moves Zelda from spring to summer. After a bit, the florals start to arrive, bringing with them an elegant refrain of honeyed depth. I’ll admit that as a man I love a good floral fragrance as long as it’s not too sweet, but like in this case, is beefy and rich and substantial. After around 15 minutes or so, the magnolia really starts to appear. It’s thick and rich and at first it almost smells like coconut suntan oil (something that I was noticing and which was validated by my partner). This made me a bit worried, but the coconut suntan oil subsided after a while and the creaminess of the magnolia was met with a smoky aura which is incredibly intoxicating. Zelda takes a long time to transform, but continuing on, the magnolia which still remains centered, is met with a wash of vetiver. At this point, Zelda is better smelled from afar. What I mean is that is smells more harmonic when you’re not sniffing your arm directly. This doesn’t surprise me though, as I lived in Atlanta, Georgia for years and the magnolia blossoms smell wonderfully at a distance, but when you go up to a flower, it doesn’t have that same sweetened creamy smell that permeates the air. Zelda requires that distance as well. As Zelda continues its drydown there is a slight bitter bite which again, from a distance adds to the layers of the fragrance. In the end, Zelda becomes more woody, but the spiced magnolia is ever-present. Zelda also seems to transform with the environment. As such, it’s not going to smell the same in the hot sun as is does inside in the air conditioning.

BOTTOM LINE: This was a lovely blind buy. I find that Zelda is pretty feminine so it won’t be something that I wear to work. Instead, Zelda will reside in my collection as a comfort scent that I will wear at home and in the evenings. Thanks to Freddie to introducing me to this fragrance and to En Voyage perfumes which I had not heard of before. I received some other En Voyage Perfume fragrance samples along with my new purchase. If they are as good as Zelda is, I think I’ll be placing some more orders!

16 thoughts on “Zelda by En Voyage Perfumes”

FANTASTIC Houndy 😀 ❤ I don't get the "freshness" you do in the opening, but our description on the transformation seems very similar. The magnolia note is just incredible, and you're right about the bitter base – with the fleshy florals it's just awesome.
I think it's such a complicated little perfume that up close there's just so much going on that it seems a bit "confused" – you're right though, from afar everything slips into place.
I'm so glad it worked out for you I'd have been so sad if not :') But you surprised me with Haute Claire and this has a similar challenging-ish floral vibe.
Enjoy it Houndy – you smell awesome.

Thanks for the introduction F. I love it. I’m not so sure my better half does though. I think it’s a bit too fem for his tastes though. I can’t wait to wear it on a hot summer night. I think it’s going to radiate off of me 🙂

The magnolia is definitely a big old-school fem smell, but that rich civet, tobacco, amber, vetiver base – well, it’s impossible not to love!
Enjoy the samples, will be interested to hear what she sent you. I’m waiting for my order to arrive of Durango and Chang Chang – I will get a bottle of Zelda next time I just can’t afford to buy everything at once!

I’m so curious about this scent. I’ve heard a lot about it and would love to try it but, thus far, it doesn’t seem to be carried by any of the sample sites. I’m a bit torn by your description as neither galbanum nor coconut suntan oil are two of my favorite aromas, but I do like the velvety richness of magnolia. Plus, the famous “mousse de Chene” base and balsams?? That is really the clincher for me. I’ll definitely order a sample, but a blind full buy? I don’t take those kinds of risks any more. LOL.

I typically won’t take a great deal of risk, but lately I have been doing so on many levels…one being the vintage perfumes that you have me hooked on. I would love to know your impressions if you ever check this one out. xoxoxo Steve

Isn’t that bottle to die for? Did you get a sample of Peche Noir per chance..if not purchase sample. As for Zelda,I think I may be blind buying too. Sadly there are no Magnolia bushes near me,so I’d wera this and think of Alabama.

My dear Saffy… i did not get a sample of Peche Noir so I can’t speak to that. But as for Magnolias and Alabama….hmmmm, to be diplomatic as I can be….Alabama has its pretty places but for the most part, it is not a place to dream of….and the magnolia, it is a tree that has so much acidity that it kills the ground beneath it where nothing can grow under it. They are messy and ugly unless they are trimmed properly. But the smell in the hot summer nights is heavenly. I don’t think you would be disappointed with a blind buy. If you do buy I would love to hear your thoughts! xoxxoxo Steve

I love a good blind buy. I have bought things based on a review as well. Thankfully most have turned out okay. I have not tried this line at all. If Freddy loves it then it must be an interesting little perfume. He doesn’t have a boring bottle in his collection.